Singles- make or break?

I'm curious. When you guys hear a band/artist's single, does it make it or break it for you? Example: if you don't like it, less liken to buy the album. If u like, more likely? OR, you figure to purchase i-tunes (or similar) and either purchase whole album or just the select songs u like?

My new record is in its final stages. Studio wants to release a song prior to album release, and for the life of me I can't decide which of the 10 songs to do. My previous bands have always just been predominantly full cd sales and never released a "single" prior to release, even when on tour. ( with exception of one ). Just curious. It's taking more time to decide than the actual studio recording. Lol

 

If I'm unfamiliar with the band, a single is my first impression of them. if I really like it, I'm likely to buy the album; if not, I probably won't

However, if I'm already familiar with the band (and like them); I won't not buy their album cause I thought the single was crappy

 

...And as far as choosing, I guess it's also sort of based on that:

Are you known? If so, maybe choosing a song that you think best represents the album is the way to go

Are you unknown? If so, maybe choose a song that you think best represents your band and will appeal to the broadest range of your target audience

 

That's kind of what I was thinking as well. Locally known, yes. Ive been on small tours in the lower 48 few years back with different bands. Been in the scenes here in one shape to another for a fairly long time. I've taken a breather the last year and a half to get married and focus on personal stuff like that. I'm trying to find the happy median. Studio wants to release a catchy single, followed by another single (likely a song with different feel to it to contrast the other) prior to releasing 5 songs for an EP while new material gets added before finally releasing a full length album (12-15 songs or so). I've just never done it this way before, so trying to see what folks thoughts are on the matter of singles released.

 

Ditto.

Actually, if I was familiar with the band, I would generally skip the single because they were always trimmed-down versions of the song intended for a quick 3-minute shot on AM radio.

But I'm thinking back to the days of wax and have no idea how singles are handled today. Is it just a pre-release on iTunes?

 

Yes, I think I've only bought one single in my entire life; and that was just to test out the first CD Walkman that I was given

 

I usually only ever buy singles.... it just depends.

I'll go on itunes and check out the rest of the songs on the album. If there are multiple songs in that album that are popular that I've heard before (but didn't necessarily consider buying at first) - then I'll buy the entire album.
And that's a matter of cost..... why spend $1.29 for each song when you can get the entire album for $13 and save $$.

And yes...I use itunes popularity to help me even look for 'likable' songs.

After all....(for me anyway), I don't know any songs exist unless I hear them on the radio / TV / Pandora or whatever. If its on the radio/TV/Pandora..it's already a popular song. I let the popularity of songs dictate what I buy - more or less.

The last year or so, have developed a liking to certain artists based on how many songs I've purchased from them in the past. If I have favorite artists - I have been known to prepay for albums before their release dates. And obviously....the more songs you buy, the more artists become favorites and the more albums you buy from that artist.

 

It'll probably be a free download to start, in terms of the single. But the EP will probably use i-tunes and spotify. I like i-tunes because EVERYONE has it. And like you guys said, you can pick which songs to buy if you don't want the entire disc. I do that quite often as well. Lol

 

One of the biggest things nowadays that has a huge impact on music and artists is youtube. Yeah itunes will get your song out there but youtube will make it known. People won't know who you are when they see your song on tinues, but if it's popular on youtube it will get them to buy the song. At least that's how it goes for me. If I listen to it on youtube enough I will go and get it for my iipod

 

What kind of music you putting out? Rap, rock, pop rocks? Mmmm pop rocks.

Anyway in the past when you still had to buy a cd, I'd buy a whole album if I.liked the single. I figures, they made one good song, has to be atleast one or two more on the album that I like.

I can imagine its hard to decide what's the best song, out of a group of songs you wrote. I mean, you wrote them and recorded them, so you must like them. It's like picking a favorite kid.

When you put it out, throw the link up. TW will support you.

 

I have bought many a 45rpm single. Sometimes you would get lucky and both sides were good generally with mega groups like beatles, stones etc...

 

And sometimes even newer groups.
Boston's "More than a Feeling" had "Long Time" on the B-Side.

 

Scorpions got "good" at that after Crazy World. One song got the airplay, and there might have been 3 decent tunes on the entire CD.
Pure Instinct was the last one I bought from them.

Not really. I put together a 5-song EP back in '86 and there's a couple of tunes that I wouldn't want to put on a single. One is just mediocre at best, and would not have been included on the CD if I had finished the rest of the project, and one is a kinda fun "Chuck Berry" influenced thing, but not distinctive enough to be on a single.

 

It's rock. Not metal, but not soft either. I'd be pressed to say my writing has taken a more "Christian rock" (along the lines of Switchfoot or something of that nature, not the hallelujah kind lol) lately. The thing is that the song suggested I use as the first release isn't really my favorite one. But, as of today I'll probably go with that one prior to an ep. I've started bands over the years, but few years ago really got in to doing just an acoustic act. Easy set up/take down, money is split one way also which Is always nice. Lol. But the sings were always meant to be full arrangements.

I'll definitely let you know when I get it put online for download. Http://www.reverbnation.com/russperry is my main music page.

I hadn't thought about b-sides. Maybe I'll consider that, though with the Internet and download, what's the point?

Thanks for the opinions guys! It's helping me a lot!

 

Makes sense. I've never wrote a song or recorded any music, so I would have no clue what that's like. Ha ha.

And yeah, it always amazed me, when the single was great, but the rest of the album was pure shit. I would think, how could you right such a great song, and then think these others are any good?

Nice, will be looking forward to hearing it.

 

Well, I settled on the first single. It's called Freefall and available for download and streaming at http://www.reverbnation.com/russperry

 

I dig it!

 

Thanks!!! I'll definitely let u know when the cd is available in full.

 

I've got the cd master sent to me. I uploaded the title track last night at www.reverbnation.com/russperry
It's called Transition. The entire record should be available on i-tunes, spotify and a few other sites for purchase in the next few weeks. Once I get off my lazy arse. Lol